4 ways slacklining parallels life.

by

I blame this post on the fact I made a not-that-funny joke about teaching therapy-doodle-Charming to slackline.

Afterward, in my inimitable way, I grew obsessed with the parallels between slacklining and life.

slackline

I used to regale anyone who would listen with stories about what terrible balance I had.

If you handed me a BOSU ball I’d mount, stand proudly aloft for a few seconds…then fall on my face.

When I took the Wii Fit Body Test the results essentially asked if I often spontaneously fell over.

No joke.

I’ve learned a lot about balance in my 40’s.

From the Child. From my People. From Charming. From all of you.

Ive focused a lot on balance in my forties.

I’ve BOSU’ed. I’ve stilts walked. And, unbeknownst to most, I’ve slacklined.

gibbons slackline

look ma! one foot!

Slacklining is the art of walking & balancing on a piece of webbing strung between 2 anchored points.

You may tie webbing between trees or poles (Austin is renown for its urban slackliners) or, if you’re a tree-loving misfit, you may purchase an anchored slackline contraption (you *can* pad trees from webbing, but I’m like The Lorax. I worry about the trees.)

The other day, as I again attempted to make my way between two firmly anchored points, it dawned upon me how slacklining paralleled my life.

The tips I offer adult-friends when asked about life-balance are the same ones I offer the Child’s friends as they ready to try our slackline.

In both cases there’s wobbling, potential for missteps and a tremendous opportunity to learn more about ourselves along the way.

Allow me to elaborate.

slacklining

#1 Don’t look down!

In the same sense as don’t look behind you –you’re not going that way the act of slack lining necessitates we keep our eyes where we wish to remain: up.

The moment we pause for more than a few seconds to look down or glance behind us – – we begin to wobble

Both life and slacklining require we maintain eyes up and focused *forward.* In order to succeed we must look toward our literal/metaphorical destination. We must trust our instincts. We need to let our innate sense of balance inform us where and how to step.

Live and slackline intuitively.

 

#2 Chill out.

Relax. It’s important we pause to release tension from arms/shoulders before stepping on the ‘line or out into life. Worrying is praying for what we do not want. Fear based living OR slacklining doesn’t work as it only serves to limit us. Make that mind/body connection, but don’t over think it. It’s all about discovering our own unique balance (pun intended) between effort and ease.

 

#3 Be consistent.

Try new things/experiment yet always return to the old. Consistency doesn’t breed boredom–it creates a breeding ground for success. From ‘lining to living practice makes permanent.

Success without consistency may occasionally occur, but it’s most likely beginners luck or an ephemeral thing.

#4 Giggle. Have fun.

Life is short. And it’s most definitely too fleeting to approach it (or slacklining) in an overly serious fashion. Don’t allow yourself to have tunnel vision with regards to making it to to the end of the ‘line.

Definitely don’t place too much emphasis on the outcome as nothing cleanses life or slacklining of fun like doing that. Enjoy the process.

There exists no perfection (in life or in) ‘lining.

Incorporating play into both is always the answer.

balance

Eyes up, shoulders down, and giggle… consistently.

Keep that in mind you’ll succeed in both endeavors.

And you?

  • Have you achieved balance in either in slacklining or in life?

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Comments

  1. I giggled at my coworker who bought a slack line when she turned 50 to help with her balance. But now as I’m getting older, I reslaize it’s a great tool for balance obviously but for learning about yourself.

  2. I never even heard about this before that story of the guy who was stuck hanging from a ski lift and his professional slack lining buddy was able to free him before anyone else by climbing over the suspension wires of the chair lift! It was incredible. And YES, so many parallels to life…as I often find with fitness 🙂
    Also LOVE the question you were asked by Wii – LOL!!!

    • I second Susie’s sense of being screwed if slacklining is like life! I actively work on my balance but it never seems to improve, I do NOT know what the deal is with that. I admire your slacklining chops Carla but can’t imagine it wouldn’t end in a trip to the ER for me.

  6. I saw your wobble wobble tweet on Twitter. Right now I’m feeling very wobbly physically and emotionally with the state of our world.
    I’ve been avoiding yoga or anything focused on balance because of that. Maybe I need to embrace it and just wobble wobble 🙂

  7. That balance between effort and ease. That’s what I need to find. Too much effort happening here = overkill. Thanks for this reminder.

  9. Balance is a day to day thing that i’m still learning. You are very right about giggling a lot, without a sense of humor over the wobbles i’d go down like a rock!

  10. I have terrible balance too! It’s something I’ve been working on lately and am slowly seeing it pay off. You’re right- so many parallels to life!

  11. Another new thing you’ve taught me Carla! Now I want to try slacklining – but I bet I’d suck at it as much as I suck at Zumba and running (no co-ordination I’m afraid) I like the lessons though 🙂

  13. When I was 62, I had already fallen several times. I signed up for a balance program that originated in Australia, which I blogged about back in 2015 in a series of “Falling Friday” posts. No slack lining, but we were taught heel to toe walking and several other exercises. When I started, I could not heel to toe walk even one step without grabbing for support. I worked on it (and yes, you can’t look down!)and I’ve improved. Slack lining may be the next step (or yoga, which so many people have encouraged me to try). I encourage any woman over the age of 40 to engage in some practice to work on balance. Your 64 year old self will thank you.

  19. I fall down, A LOT. My balance is terrible. I look down too often, I am not chill enough. I need to work on being consistent. I do giggle a lot, though. Mostly internally. Okay, fine..those are eye rolls.

    I loved this.

  20. I took physical therapy for balance a couple times. One of my homework assignments was to buy a 4″ thick piece of foam and practice simple balances on it. Things like standing one one leg with the knee of the other leg raised straight in front of me. Sort of working up to tree pose. I worked on poses first with my eyes open, staring straight ahead, and later with my eyes closed. Really effective.

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